Saw-clamp.



No. 7||`,745. Patented out; 2|, |902.

w. B. THoMAs.

SAW CLAMP.

\ Applicn.ton filed July 21, 1900. Renewed Feb. 26, 1902. j

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UNITED STATES WALTER B. THOMAS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SAW-C LAM P.

SPECIFICATION forming part 0f Letters Patent N0. 711,745, dated Oct0ber'v21, 1902. Application led'Jnly 21,1900. Renewed February 26, 1902. Serial No. 95,658. (No model.)

T0 all wwnt it may concern:

Beit known that I, WALTER B. THOMAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Saw-Clamps; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of my invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has for its object, among others, to provide a simple and light sawclamp that can be folded so as to occupy but a minimum space without being taken apart and which can be firmly and quickly fastened in position `upon a bench or other support. Instead of forming the body of the saw-clamp large enough to receive the largest-size handsaws from the top (which requires a very large frame) my invention is formed so as to receive the saw from the bottom regardless of the size ofthe saw-blade. This allows the body-frame of the saw-clamp to be made about one-fourth the size and one-half the weight of the clamps now in use and requires no bolts or springs, only one rivet being necessary for the clamping-arm.

In the drawings which form a part this application, Figure 1 is a rearelevation of my improved clamp,showing section of saw-blade in position for filing. Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the clamp. Fig. 3 is a cross-section through the center of the clamp. Fig. 4 is a detail of a portion of the sliding jaw, and Fig. 5 is a detail showing the operating-lever.

Similar characters designate like parts in all the figures of the drawings. l

Referring now to the details of the drawings, A designates the body portion of the clamp, consisting of the base 3 3, with vertical arms 1 l at each end holding the stationary jaw 9,al1 cast in one piece,with a square opening 17 in the base 3, in which the fulcrum D is tted and held rigidly in place by riveting the lug 12. The movable jaw B is formed with a stem 5 at right angles therewith, in which is ahorizontal groove 6,running lengthwise of the stem, and a helical groove 7 running half way around the circumference of the stem 5. The groove 6 is to allow the lug 14 in the opening hole 13 in the operating-lever C to be passed onto the stem 5 and into the helical groove 7 on the stem of the movable jaw. The operating-lever C is mounted on the stem 5 and between the two fnlcrumarms lO 10 of the fulcrum D, said stem 5 being slidably iitted in the holes 11 11 in the said arms and in the hole 13 of the operating-lever C. I

Depending from the bottom of the base 3, near its ends, are lugs 4 4 for holding the clamp square by coming in contact with the edge of the bench or support. Another lug 15 is formed at the center of the base, to which the bench-clamping arm E is pivoted, as at H. Through the angle or foot of this clamping-arm E is a thumb-screw F, working in a threaded hole 18 and provided at its upper end with a loose washer G to engage the under side of the support to which the clamp is to be attached for use, the base 3 3emgaging the upper side of the support when so attached.

In operation the saw-clamp is placed on the upper edge of a bench or other support, with the depending lugs 4 4 in contact with the edge of such support. The thumb-screw F is then screwed up against the under side of the support, which is thus clamped between the washer Gr on the thumb-screw F and the base 3 3. The saw is inserted from below through the two arms 1 1 and between the movable jaw B and the stationary jaw 9. The operating-lever C is turned by the lug 8 to the position shown in the dotted linesin Fig. 1. The lever C being held in place between the lugs 10 10 of the fulcrumD on the stem, the jaw B is caused to travel forward by the action of the lug 14 coming in contact with the side of the groove 7, thus holding the saw firmly between the stationary and movable jaws. release the saw, the lever C is turned back to its former position. The same action of the lug against the opposite side of the groove causes the movable jaw to move back to its Iirst position. When the device is released from its support, the clamping-arm E can be folded up under the base of the clamp.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by' Letters Patent, is-

1. A saw-clamp composed'of' a base, arms extending from said base and formed to receive a saw-blade thereunder, a fixed jaw sup- IOO ported by said arms, a slidable jaw supported from the base and provided with a stem having a helical groove formed therein and a lever having a lug iitting said groove, mounted on said stem, and provided With fixed side bearings, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth. Y

2. A saw-clamp composed of a base having lugs adapted to hold it square, arms extending from said base and formed to receive a saw-blade thereunder, a fixed jaw supported by said arms, a movable jaw supported from said base and formed With a stem having a helical groove therein, a lever mounted on said stem and having a lug fitting loosely in 

